Togo opens applications to upgrade digital capacity of startup support organizations

Formation

Monday, 09 March 2026 13:38

Togo opens applications to upgrade digital capacity of startup support organizations

(Togo First) - Togolese authorities have launched a call for expressions of interest to strengthen the digital capabilities of entrepreneurship and innovation support organizations (SAEIs). The initiative targets organizations based in the country seeking to improve their support for startups and technology projects.

The program aims to improve their effectiveness and strengthen their role within the African entrepreneurial ecosystem.

According to details published on Togo’s Digital Economy Portal, the initiative seeks to bring the practices of Togolese SAEIs in line with international standards for startup support.

It also includes the creation of a certification label developed in collaboration with Afric’Innov, a pan-African network specializing in support for incubators and innovation hubs.

SAEIs play a key role in developing the entrepreneurial ecosystem by supporting entrepreneurs, facilitating access to financing and promoting an entrepreneurial culture across the country.

Authorities aim to strengthen these organizations so they can act as accelerators of local innovation.

The initiative comes as digital technologies expand rapidly and the fourth industrial revolution reshapes the sector, alongside the recent emergence of generative artificial intelligence tools that are expected to drive further change in an ecosystem that still faces significant challenges in Togo.

Interested organizations can submit their applications online through the government’s dedicated platform. The deadline is March 20, 2026.

R.E.D

REFORMS OVERVIEW

STARTING A BUSINESS (more info)

At the fifteenth position, worldwide, and first in Africa, under the Starting a Business index of the 2020 Doing Business ranking, Togo sustains its reformative dynamics with more reforms….

ENFORCING CONTRACTS (more info)

Compared to some years ago when it was one of the lowest rankers under the Doing Business’ Enforcing Contracts indicator, Togo, leveraging many efforts to improve its business climate, was able to jump significantly on the index in the recent years... .

CONTRACT EXECUTION (more info)

Creation of special chambers of commerce for small debts • Creation of chambers of commerce at the Court of Appeal • Civil and commercial cases now handled by distinct clerks • Establishment of commercial courts in Lomé and Kara • Lawyers and bailiffs now have access to the FORSETI COMMERCIAL platform • A maximum period of 100 days was fixed to settle a commercial dispute .

TRADING ACROSS BORDERS (more info)

In comparison to previous years,Togo has significantly improved its ranking under the“Trading across borders” indicator by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

In comparison to previous years, Togo has significantly improved its ranking on the “Trading across borders” index by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitalization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

CONSTRUCTION PERMIT (more info)

After moving from the 133rd to 127th place under the 2020 Doing Business’ construction permit index, Togo intends to reiterate this feat in the coming edition of the global ranking. To this end, it has introduced this year multiple reforms.

GETTING ELECTRICITY (more info)

Over the past two years, Togo’s ranking under the Doing Business’ Getting electricity and water indicator has increased consistently. Owing this performance to multiple reforms aimed at making it easier for businesses to access power and water, Lomé plans to introduce even more reforms this year to keep up its improvements.

REGISTERING A PROPERTY (more info)

Out of all the 'Doing Business’ indicators, Property Registration is where Togo has improved the most since 2018. Indeed, after spending years in the lowest part of this ranking, the country now seeks to beat Rwanda which is the best performer on this index in Africa. To do so, Lomé has been introducing many reforms, with the latest batch implemented this year.

PUBLIC PROCUREMENT (more info)

From professionalization to digitization, through legislative regulations, Togo’s public procurement framework is constantly being modernized. Several reforms have been implemented to improve the sector much to the benefit of the private sector, which is the focus of the National Development Plan.

PAYING TAXES AND DUTIES (more info)

To improve its business environment, Togo introduced some important reforms related to the payment of tax and duties. From the replacement of some taxes to the cancellation of others through exemptions, the country has only one objective: offer the most attractive tax framework to investors and economic operators. To achieve this, the authorities relied on digitization.